Field training and laser beams

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 235, 15 March 1988, Page 6

Field training and laser beams

Our five officer cadets are now about ten weeks into their course and have had their second day's leave. Parents, friends and families of the OCS cadets were invited to an open day last Saturday where the school put on displays including battle craft, drill and dress. After the display cadets went on 24 hours leave. Last week's Army Life

column was about the cadets' trip to Australia from which they returned in the first week of March. After Australia the cadets were sent into the field on a patrolling exercise for three days.( There they learned about and practised patrolling methods. Field craft was also brought into play with the patrols moving into 'defended areas' for the nights where they set up camp with machine

A year in the life of five gun posts and sentries on guard through the night. The exercise was an introduction to the 13 day mid-term field training section of their course. Asked if they were looking forward to the field training proper, Officer Cadet Janet Hunt said: "We get four days off after it so we're

>fficer cadets looking forward to that." "Some people dread it, but no, I look forward to it," said OC Brett Rankin. Comparing their earlier field training Tim Dunwoodie said: "We haven't really been into it yet, it will be a lot tougher." Since their three days of field training the cadets have been in camp doing weapons training and service letter writing. Last Friday they were participating in a section battle drill. Each cadet was kitted out with sophisticated equipment designed to simulate a battle, with shots and s trikes recorded. The equipment uses true lasers which are attached to a standard issue rifle. When the weapon is 'fired' a laser beam is emitted from a special unit attached to the muzzle of the rifle. If the weapon was aimed at a target soldier the laser beam is picked up by sensors attached

to his or her uniform. The strike is recorded by the firing weapon as well as the 'victimY

equipment. When asked about cheating the cadets said: "You can't, the

thing starts beeping if you're hit and it won't stop until you lie down on the ground."